Advice from people who have taken Citalopram

[Sara1235]

Hi everyone

I am now on day 3 of taking citalopram and I've started to think I've made a big mistake these side effects are horrible nausea, no appetite, stomach ache, burning sensation, intense anxiety, faster pulse, dizziness, just want to cry all the time.

Does anyone have any advice on how they got through the first week / 2 weeks? How long is it this intense for does each day get better?

Thank you

@Elliejane

Sorry to hear your having another difficult day I know escitalopram is a purer form of Citalopram so I think quite simular.

How's your son today?

I just wanted to offer support, I have not taken Citalopram, but have been on other meds with similar side effects. The first 2 weeks are hard, but then it does start to improve. I am currently on fluoxetine and increased my dose about 3 weeks ago after a relapse. I am definitely noticing an improvement. Eating was a real struggle for the first 2 week and I lost weight. My nausea is reducing and my appetite is increasing again now though, and I feel everything is bearable more of the time now, whereas it felt unbearable before. I have been through this process several times in my life and know I will get there.

Definitely recommend distraction. Anything that stops you focusing on how you are feeling. A book, TV, music, podcast.

Also basic self care, eating what you can, some foods are easier than others, if you find someting you can manage stock up on it. I made it through the first week mainly on yogurt and bananas, then a small evening meal when I felt a bit more like I could face food and then a sandwich or cereal before bed to top up. Drinking water, trying to keep good sleep habits and a bit of gentle exercise all help to stop you feeling any worse.

@Snowshower

Thank you for your message of support it means alot to me thank you for some tips around eating I didn't think of yogurts stupidly it's a good idea! Exercise has been hard my heads been really horrid quite dizzy and heavy been a bit scary makes me off balance but then sitting down isn't helping either I just try to get up every hour and move where I can.

@Snowshower

Good luck with your journey let me know how you get on I don't want to annoy people but I will use this thread as updates xx

Thanks @Sara1235

I have been buying boxes of frubes. Also fruit smoothies and soup without lumps. Anything that is more "drinkable" seems to work better for me, then at least I am not worrying about not eating anything, and then I find later in the day I can manage a bit of 'real' food.

I understand what you mean about exercise when you feel like you do now. Definitely just keep trying to move a little bit and you will be able to build up to more as you start to feel better.

@Elliejane I replied to the citalopram thread but I was taking Escitalopram. It’s very similar (I’ve taken both) i remember it being hard to find others that were taking it! If you have any questions about it I’m happy to answer

@Sara1235 exercise in the early days used to bring on anxiety attacks I found yoga/stretching better. Also remember eating a lot of mango as it’s easy to eat but filling

@Snowshower

I'm going to stock up on some easier bits to eat! Thankfully I had a better night sleep I managed to stay in bed and whilst it was a bit on and off I managed to get a good 6 hours it's just waking up with this heightened anxiety I'm home on my own today which is making me even more anxious normally my partners works from home but he is in the office so just me and my daughter 🙁

Hope your day is going okay @Sara1235

@Snowshower

Thanks snowshower a friend came round for a little bit brought me some yogurts and bananas not feeling up to going out my heads not feeling right today at all!

I am about to have my first call with a CBT therapist so here's hoping it goes OK!

I am suppose to be going away on Saturday I don't know how to tell my partner I don't want to go 🙁i don't know how I would manage to drive for 6 hours like this it's all adding to the anxiety.

@Snowshower

How are you doing today?

Hi all

I know it is still early days but I've actually managed to eat some Salmon Pasta Bake and cooked it for dinner this evening and i have had a period of no anxiety which I'm taking as a win! I've used all of the advice everyone has given and been able to distract myself today with some meditation and reading and the yogurt, Banana and soup worked a treat.

My dad has also managed to get a people carrier so I don't have to drive down to Cornwall I think that's given me some relief! So after thinking today would be terrible it's been ok. Thank you all again for your support and advice just gonna take a day at a time and embrace any positives! xx

You could try halfing the tablet and taking it in two doses?
I tried citalopram and it didn't agree with me. However escitalopram ( generally well tolerated ) changed my life
My mum and sister were fine with citalopram. Just nausea and tiredness for the first few weeks
Good luck!

@Carlycat

Thank you for the advice I'm hoping I can get on with it and it settles down soon enough I know it takes time and nothing is a quick fix with mental health. I'm glad you found an AD that works for you!

@Sara1235 So glad to hear your day has been OK and that some of the advice from here has been helpful.

I have had a "good" day today, I still felt terrible in the morning, but it eased up quicker today and I have had a longer spell of feeling okay this afternoon and evening.

This is how it usually goes for me, I gradually wake up feeling slightly less bad and feel "normal" by earlier as the days /weeks pass until it goes completely, with a few ups and downs along the way of course!

Keep us updated.

@Snowshower

That's great you have had a better afternoon/evening too! All your advice has really helped me today!

I know it will be taking the rough with the smooth and everything in-between I will keep you updated! Have a good evening!

Great update @Sara1235, glad you've had some wins today.

Don't worry if you have blips on the next few days. It's a bump ride until things settle down.

I take Citalopram and it really really helps me.

Eating is really important too.
The protein yoghurts you can get now are brilliant. If you can manage to get at least one for breakfast into you it will give you a good start.

Anxiety is shit. It will ease. You are on way to a better way of life 💕💕💕

@CantFindTheBeat

It's been so good to hear so many positives from people who take citalopram and how it works for you!
You right I am going to take it one day at a time and remember a bad morning doesn't always mean a bad day I've downloaded a gratitude diary today so I can think of at least 2 positives from the day no matter how small.

Anxiety is shit its sad so many of us deal with it but this site really had given me so much positivity and advice!

I honestly can't believe I never thought of yogurts they helped me loads today so simple and easy to digest!

Yoghurts all the way!!!

Good luck and great news that your dad can drive you to Cornwall.

A six hour drive would have given anyone the heebie jeebies!

So sorry it's giving your side effects OP. I was lucky that I just got the splitting headache, but definitely persevere if you can. Citalopram really helps me. Hopefully it works for you too.

@CantFindTheBeat

Honestly when he came and said he would drive us all to Cornwall I cried with relief! Thank you good luck on your journey too I think we are always on one x

@TitoMojito

Thank you for your message so glad to hear Citalopram is working for you I'm holding out every hope it will work for me too!

I had three weeks of complete hell when I started it followed by the longest period of happiness and peace I've ever had. I never want to come off it it's changed by life. Super medicine.

Hi everyone

Quick question did anyone experience like a tremor kinda shaky feeling throughout the body as a side affect to Citalopram?

Thanks

I get that when I miss a couple of days.